Pick up paper unemployment forms
Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties are handing out paper unemployment forms at specific libraries.
Hillsborough County
The location near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area is at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. The library’s drive-thru will be open seven days a week, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once completed, residents also can drop off the … [Read more...]

When motorists drive past the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, chances are they won’t know much about the history of the man for whom the facility is named.
That’s where Bill Dotterer comes in.
He’s a volunteer with the Tampa Bay History Center and he shared the story of 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez’s life and his heroic actions during a talk earlier this year at … [Read more...]

MacDill Air Force Base has been around for more than 75 years — with roles that have changed to correspond with evolving military needs.
The base now houses the 6th Air Mobility Wing, with operations primarily in aerial refueling mission and personnel transport.
Its purpose was quite different during World War II, however.
The Tampa Bay History Center, in partnership with the Jimmie … [Read more...]

Tampa’s Jewish population today numbers more than 25,000 members involved in more than a dozen synagogues, day schools, and multiple community centers and related organizations.
The of history Tampa’s Jewish community likewise runs deep — dating back more than 170 years.
The Tampa Bay History Center, in partnership with the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, recently had a presentation … [Read more...]

The Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 W. Bearss Ave., recently hosted more than 100 people of all ages for its first rock-painting event.
Jennifer Hodges, senior librarian, came up with the “JBKindness Rocks” group, to paint rocks to help spread kindness.
The library supplied rocks, paint and brushes at the May 20 session for those who wanted to make their own rock creations to … [Read more...]

A new year always offers a fresh chance to become more disciplined, learn new things, explore new hobbies and have more fun.
All that, and more, awaits visitors to local libraries.
Besides a vast collection of books, CDs, DVDs and digital offerings, libraries host scores of events every month.
So, depending on your interests or your needs, you can often find just what you’re seeking … [Read more...]

Maybe you’ve decided that this is the year that you’re going to do a better job of ‘managing’ your time.
But, if you listen to Richard Dutton, a retired professor of Managerial Behavior & Organization Studies from the University of South Florida, it is impossible to “manage” time.
“Time cannot be managed. It is completely independent of us,” Dutton said.
“We can use time. We can’t … [Read more...]

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween, you’ll find plenty of options across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.
Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., is hosting a Family Fun Festival that it’s calling “Light the Night.”
The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct. 31.
Cars will be decorated with favorite kid-friendly themes and will line … [Read more...]

Fewer than one-fifth of the registered voters in Hillsborough and Pasco counties decided the outcome of the primary elections on Aug. 30.
Some of the more notable races had Pat Frank defeating Kevin Beckner for the Democratic primary for Clerk of the Circuit Court in Hillsborough County, and Gary Joiner defeating Ted Schrader in the race for property appraiser in Pasco County.
In other … [Read more...]

There’s more than just books to check out
It won’t be long before school bells ring in a new year, but before they do, there’s still ample opportunity to have fun at local libraries during summer break.
There also are plenty of ways — besides books — to learn at local libraries.
For instance, people who wanted to learn more about the work that police officers do had a chance to do … [Read more...]

What’s Happening

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer floating candle jar kits on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., to be picked up curbside. The kit will include one floating candle, a glass jar, and instructions on how to make your own luminary. Supplies are limited. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will provide a fairy jar kit on June 9, all day, for adults only. To see the prerecorded video, visit the library’s Facebook page. For information and current branch hours, call (352) 567-3576. … [Read More...]

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a curbside pickup for a Tinkering Tuesday kit on June 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The theme will be Healthy Habits. On the library’s Facebook page, there will be event links for the instructions to the experiments and activities, as well as other resources. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Virtual SRC: Ultimate Block Party on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with Minecraft activities. Register through the library with your email to receive the Zoom link to attend. For information and current library hours, call (813) 929-1214. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host a virtual event, “Teens: Trashy Art,” on June 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., for grades eight to 12. Participants can be creative using acrylic paint. Kits will be provided. Email Danielle Lee at *protected email* in advance, for the link. … [Read More...]

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will host “Storytime By the Sea: Pirates and Mermaids” on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., using Zoom, for ages up to 5 years old. Kids can listen to stories and sing songs, and make a sand sensory bottle with seashells, sand, stones and jewels (kits to be provided). For information and for access to the event, email Danielle Lee at *protected email*. … [Read More...]